Machine



April 13 1926.

L. L. KNOX :1 AL

I PORTIONING MACHINE Original Filed May= 27.

1922 5. Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13', 1926.

L. L. KNOX ET AL PORTIONING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May2'7, 1922 WIi'NESS fly/7004114 April 13, 1926.

L. L. KNOX .Er' AL PORTIONING MACHINE- Original Filed May 27, 1922 5 Sheet's -Sheet z m TNESS f WYM/Z 1% I VEIYTORS f -w "4' AT ORNEY- I 11,580,498 L; L. KNOX ETAL Ponnqnins' MAcHiNE Original Filed May 27, 19225 sheets-Sheet 4 NV YTORS' aid g,

A iril 13 1926. 1,580,498

L. L. KNOX ET AL PORTIONING MACHINE Original Filed May 27, 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UN [TED SJTFATES I ER KNOX, 0 BELLEV NQW AM, L WIS. QE- B E BUB H; ENN

PATENT armor-i. H

LV NIA PQRTION'ING MACHINE.

Application filed May- 27, 1922; Serial N o, 56 L-,117: RenewedSeptember 17, 1 925:

To allwhomc't may concern:

Be it known that we, Lori-Inn- 111. KNOX; and lViLLIAM LEWIS, citizensof the. United States, and residing, respectively, in. the borough. ofBellevue and; city 0t Pittsburgh, inthe county of Allegheny andStatejview is the adaptation of such. machines to automatic action wherebythey may be used in connection with cafeteria. orself-service.restaurants, and the removal of a. portion from the dispensing position.will actuate the machine. so that another portion will: be presented insuch dispensing position.

For. the accomplishment oti'this purpose we have devised; a. machine.characterized by coacting portion. forming mechanisms and portiondelivery mechanisms,- so. arranged that the removal; of. av portionPR8". sented. by the delivery mechanislii will: a-ctu' atethe portion.forming mechanism: to. pro-1 duce. a. fresh portion and. deposit; it.-on\ the delivery mechanism andthe portiondelivery mechanism to. present.a. fresh portion, at; the point of delivery.

Thus we show apparatus comprising means for forming. the. individual.portions;- for supplying the empty butter. platesto. re.-. ceive theportions so formed. and. delivery. means which. present: the loaded.plates for.- consumption, all; of. said; means. being so, interrelatedand. actuated, that a removah of the loaded plate from the. deliveryposition will cause another loaded plate. to. be ad vanoed. into itsplace while another portion. is formed by theportioning means and; an.empty plate supplied to receive. the. same.

Te prefer to make the machine iii-multipleform, so that when ones-ideof. themachine or set of coacting mechanisms; have. been. exhausted,another set is automatically put into operation, giving an, opportunityfor refilling the first set, which. will: in turn. be brought intooperation when. the second set is exhausted; thus alternate operationbeing continued. indefinitely...

For the purpose of effecting the alternate. or successive operation otthe sides or sets of apparatus comprising. the machine we have inventecha new electric switch.

(Dther novel: features. of construction and arrangement of partswillappear. from: the followingdescription. v I

In the accompanying drawings, which-are. however merely intended toillustrate the principles of our invention without-limitingthe scope of:the. same to the. construction shown, Fig.- 1-: is. an incomplete. planview. of a portioning machine embodyingthe principles; Fig.2is asection, taken. alongc line. II..II; in. Fig. lot the machine with.certain. parts omitted; Fig. .8.is a. rear end;

of the machine, partly sectioned to more;

clearly show the construction, Fig. 4. is. an enlarged detail lookingfromthe-rearofrth-e. machine. and: showlngthe: construction. of

-thedelivery.mechanismyFig. 5".is a side viewof: the same; Fig. 6 is abroken-enlarged.

longitudinal; section showing the. front; end; of onset; the dispensingmechanisms; Fig. 7 is a. front View of the same; Fig. 8 is an enlarged:detail showing the mounting of. the ring gear: ofi one. of. the.portioning;

chines omthe bottomicasting; FigJQiisaidia-Q 'gIw3J11l11flt'lC-VlW of":the-wiringcircuits; Fig. "10 is an enlarged incomplete front elevationshowing tlie automatic reversing mechanism for the duplenmachine; Fig.1k is a detail in plan. View of; the-samegiFig. 1 2 is1 a. detailshowingthe timing gear. and? crank; Fig. 116;

is-a.sectio11.take11 along the line.XIII+XII I" inFig; 14', and Fig. 14is=a.brokenside eleva tion showing. amodified. form of'a-utomaticswitch. at the outer end of: the dispensing mechanism.

In the. drawings, wherein we. have illus.-. trated a. practicalembodiment of the prin,-, ciples of our invention, we show. a. multiplemachine comprised: of two. sets of: mechanism, each set consistingofi'nieans. for sever-.

ing individual portions to. form. a bar on bars of; butter; means for.supplying empty. butter plates to receive the portions. dis: charged bythe portion. forming. means, and meanstor delivering. the filled. plates,inl turn to. the dispensing.- position, the operation of;- allof said:means. being. synchronized and. contr0lled,',so that the. removal; of-the filled: butterplate from the dispensing position. actuatesalllz of;said. means; and the two-sets.

'ards 9. The bottom and top castings are provided with alined circularopenings. 1O

of mechanisms being so interrelated that when a set or side of themachine has been emptied, the other set or side of the machine isautomatically put into operation.

Each set or side of the machine is comprised of three main elements ormechanisms, a portioning mechanism, a butter plate supply mechanism, anda dispensing mechanism which spots the empty butter plates in turn toreceive the severed portions and presents the filled plates in turn atthe dispensing portion.

Thus in Fig. 1, one side of the machine is composed of the portioningmechanism A, the butter plate supplying mechanism or stack B and thedispensing mechanism C, while the other side of the machine con prisesthe corresponding mechanisms A B and C We will first describe the butterportion mechanisms illustrated.

The form of portioning mechanism shown is the type of portioningmechanism which forms the subject matter of our patent applicationSerial Number 560,7 85, filed in the United States Patent Oiiice on May13, 1922-, wherein the same is more fully shown and described.

Generally speaking the same is of the following character.

1 is a container which may conveniently be of porcelain or enameled ironor wood, having a removable lid or lids 2, a bottom discharge opening 3,and an access opening in its front closed by the vertical sliding door4.

In the duplex machine shown in the drawings the two containers 1 of thetwo portioning mechanisms A and A are integral with a space between themfor the refrigerant tank.

5 is a bottom casting horizontally supported in the bottom of thecontainer, as on horizontal ledges 6 and the top of cross partition 7 8is a top casting supported from the bottom casting, as by the verticalstandis a ring gear provided with radial teeth, and which is rotatablymounted on the bottom casting 5, as by being journaled on the annularlip 11 of said casting surrounding the circular aperture therein.

12 is the dispensing tube shown as of square cross sectional shape, butwhich may ring gear 10. To the lower end of the tube therefrom.

12 is fixed the splitter member 15 by means of which the lower end ofthe bar of butter, as it is extruded from the tube, is split or dividedlongitudinally into a plurality of bars or rods of less cross sectionalsize. Thus in the case of a square dispensing tube, the splitter may beprovided with a cruciform internal par ition 16 whose top is formed ofknife edges, thus splitting the protruded end of the bar of butter intofour smaller bars.

lVhen the dispensing tube 12 is mounted in the portioning machine, theplate 1.4: rests on the gear 10, being held in proper relation theretoby the dowel pin 17 depending from the plate 141 into a suitable socketin the gear 10, and also by the vertically disposed rod 18 fixed in thegear 10 and which extends upwardly through a vertically disposed hole in"the plate 14:. Said rod acts as a guide for the insertion and properpositioning of the dispensing tube and the parts attached thereto. It isevident that the dispensing tubeand its associated parts will rotatewith the gear 10.

19 is the piston fitting in the tube 12 and rotating therewith, saidpiston being fixed on the lower end of a screw shaft 20 which is screwedthrough a threaded bore 21 in a bar 22 which is disposed above the tubeand diametrically of the axis of the latter. The ends of the bar 22 aredown-turned and provided with the outwardly extending trunnions 23 whichseat between the concentric flanges 24 and 25 of the cam plates 26 whichare pivotally mounted eccentrically of their flanges on standards 27extending upwardly from the top casting 8. The cam plates are providedwith a connecting bail or V-shaped handle 28 by means of which the camplates may be swung in unison to raise or lower the piston in the tube,or to permit the insertion of the trunnions between said flanges 24 and25, or the removal of the trunnions After the bar or bars of butter areinserted into the tube, the piston is let down on top of the butter andthe trunnions are inserted between the flanges of the ele vated camplates. The cam plates are then swung to force the piston downwardly onthe butter, thus properly compacting the same in the tube, the'ca-pacityof the splitter orifices, or that of the discharge end of the tube whereno splitter is used, being reduced below the normal cross sectionalcapacity of the tube to provide the necessary resistance to eiiiect suchcompacting. Such preliminary compacting is desirable to insureuniformity in the thickness of the severed portions.

Below the splitter member is located the portion slicing member 29 whichmay be a wire stretched tautly and radially of the axis of the splitter.

It is evident that the rotation of the gear 1O willzcause the 'butter tobe extruded: below the splitter inthe form of four; small: bars,the'ends. of which will, be sliced off; in turn, to'form individualpontionswhich,will successively. drop down through the dischargeaperture 3 in the floor of the container: 1.

Therefore a quanter rotation ofithe gear 10 will produce and dischargean, individual portion.

The gear 10 is driven by a pinion inthe upper end of anintermittently,driven shaft 31 vertically journaled in the frame otthe machine.

lVe, of course, do not limit ourselves to the use of the type of;portioning mechanism illustrated, inasmuchv as any type of portioningmechanism which will produce the severed portions as required, may beprovided,

anism is abuttenplate supply mechanism.

B or B The same is shown as of the following construction.

35 is a vertically disposed, tube supported by the platform36 which isinturn supported by the vertically disposed leg plates 37. The platformvisprovided with an. aperture registeringwith the bore-of the tube 35- andbelow. which depends the bottom tube 38 which is ineffect a continuationor" the tube 35. The walls of the tube 38- are provided with three equalspaced apart vertically disposed slots 39 into which project the cog--wheels 40, ll and42 rigidly mounted on the shafts 43; 44 andfi,respectively, said shafts being horizontally journaled' insleevebeaningsAG secured to the tube. One end of. the shaft 43 is providedwith a beveled gee-r47 which meshes with abeveled gear 4t8- on the endof the shaft 4%. while a similar beveled gear- 49 on the other end ofthe shaft 44; meshes with a likegear 50 on the shaft 45.

The other. end of the shaft 45 is provided with a worm gear 51' whichmeshes with a worm'52on the upper end of a driven shaft 53 verticallyjournaled in the frame. Thus the cog wheels 4O, 41 and 4:2 rotate inunison and at the same speed. c

The butter plates 5& fit in the tube 35 and arestacked in the tubes 35and; 38, the bot-- tom plate ofithe stack being supported by the teethof the three cog wheelsdO, a1 and lQ, thecogsor teeth-of the latterbeing designed and spaced so that when the co'gs are turned a distanceequal-to that between adj acentteeth centers, the; bottom plate isdroppeddown through the. tube 38 and the stack of'plates settles. untilthe next plate above-is caught and supported by the cogs.

lVe provide means whereby the butter' plates as they are dropped in turnfrom the stack 111echanis-m,l3- or 13- are received and? inturn spottedunder, the dischargeopening 3 of the portioning mechanism, A. or A to beloadod, andl are then advanced to the dispensing position. One of suchmeans is provided for each side of the machine and designated as G or Cand shown as ofv thefollowing construction. I

55 represents apair, of parallel, horizontally disposed rails which arepreferably of wood and supported by the legs 56. ,Said rails extend frombeneath the plate stack mechanism and theportion forming mechanism tothe front of the machine, and have their adjacent faces beveled, asshown, so that the butter plates are properly supported thereon. v

5. represents a pair: of horizontally dis-i posed slide bars'which, aremounted in spaced relation on the axles 58 whose outer endsare providedwith rollers 59 running on thetrack rails 60 boltedto the inner sides ofthe legs 56 below the rails 55. 61 are-links whose lower ends arepivotally mounted on the axles 58 betweenthe bars 57 thus;

spacingsaid bars apart. The upper ends of said links have pivotallyattached by the shafts. 62 to their opposite ends the pairof pick-upbars 63* which may be raised or lowered inv relation to the slide bars-57 by swinging ,the links 61. Stops 64: carried by the bars 5T preventthelinks 60 from swinging forwardly beyond their vertical positions, sothat the pick-up. bars (33 may be moved, forwardly and upwardly, andrearwaizdly and downwardly relative tothe slide bars 57'.The-intermediate link (llis recessed, at its upper end to permit thepitman rod (35to be pivoted to the corresponding shaft (32. The rear endof the pitman rod. 65is pivotally connected to the wrist; pin G6eccentrically mounted on the outer face of; thedisk 67 rigidly mounted:on a, horizontally journaled shaft 68 whose other end is pro vided witha beveled gear 69 meshing with a similar gear 701011 the driven: shaft53.

It is evident that the rotation of the disk 6'? will alternately raisethe pick-up bars (33 and then advance the same in unison with the slidebars 57', and? depress the pick-upbars and then cause them to retreat inunison with slide bars. The bars 63 are pro vided. with upwardlyextending projections or studs 71 having their-centers-spaced apart adistance equal to the distance-of movement of! the slide, bars,v said:projections being"; intended: to engage from the rear the butter plateson the rails 55,50 that said plates may 1 be lifted by the pick-up barsand moved forwardly. To insure the pick-up bars being elevated beforethey are advanced, we provide a weigh 72 eccentrically pivoted to one ofthe legs 56, and having an upwardly e: tending projection which is inthe path of the finger T l depending from one of the slide bars 57 andpivoted to ng out of the vertical towards the front of the machine only.Thus when power is applied to force the bars 63 forwardly, the weightretards the movement of the slide bars until the pick-up bars have beenraised to pick up the plates and sufiicient force is exerted by thelinks 61 against the stops 6 1 to cause the linger 7% to force theweight aside. During the retreat of the slide bars the finger 7 1 trailsidly over the projection 73. To cause the pick-up bars to be firstdepressed to deposit the plates on the rails 55 before the slide barsare moved rearwardly we provide a similar weight 75 and striking linger76 which operate in the reverse direction.

l) and D represent the two alined driv ing shafts horizontally journaledtrans versely of the machine in housings 77 and each provided with abeveled gear 78 meshing with a beveled gear 79 on the lower end of theshaft 53. The outer ends of the shaft D and D are each provided with abeveled gear 80 meshing with a similar gear 81 on the rear end of ahorizontally disposed shaft E or E running to the front of the machineand each provided with a beveled gear 82 which meshes with a similargear 83 on the lower end of the shafts 31.

The gear ratios a d assemblage is such that each time the mechanisms areactuated the butter plates 5 1 are each moved forward along the rails 55one space, a new butter plate is dropped from the tube 38 onto the rails55, and a portion of butter is severed and dropped onto the butter platenow moved up and spotted under the discharge orifice 3 of the portioningmechanism.

The driving shafts D and D are operatively connected through clutches tothe motor F, and the feed circuit of said motor has provided therein acircuit breaker at the front end of each of the dispensing means G and Cwhich is held open by the butter plate spotted in the dispensingposition at the front end of the rails 55. When said front butter plateis removed by a patron or employee of the restaurant. the motor circuitis automatically closed, actuating the mechanism which continues tooperate until a butter plate is again moved up into the dispensingposition at the front end of the rails, when the circuit is broken. Themotor circuit and its automatic control will be later explained.

The shafts D and D are axially alined on either side of a worm shaft Setto the opposite ends of which the shafts D and D are coupled by themagnetic clutches G and G respectively. The shaft 8 1 is provided th aworm 85 which mes es with a worm on the shaft 8'? of the motor T saidgearing being provided with a housing 88.

The motor circuit is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9. Thus thefeed wires 89 and 90 are connected by branch wires 91 and respectively,to the motor F, a double pole s vitch 93 being interposed in said motorcircuit so as to cut out the machine entirely when desired. To one ofthe wires of the branch circuit, as for instance the wire 92, 18connected the wire 9 having two branches 95 and 96 connectedrespectively to the magnetic clutches G and (l and also connectedrespectively to the second pair of magnetic clutches H and H 97 is aconductor connecting the branch wire 91 to the poles of the two singlepole switches I and T The other side of the switch I is connected by aconductor 98 with the magnetic clutches H and G, while a conductor 99connects the other side of the switch I with the magnetic clutches H andG J is a double pole timing switch interposed in the conductors 98 and99 and adapted when thrown in one direction to complete the conductor 98and when thrown in the opposite direction to complete the conductor 99.

Thus, when the switch J is thrown into the position shown in Figs. 9 and10, to complete the conductor 98, and the switch I is closed, themagnetic clutch G is actuated to couple the driving shaft D with themotor F and the corresponding side A, B and C of the multiple machine isoperative, while the side A B and C is cut out. On the contrary, whenthe switch J is thrown into its other position, completing the conductor99, and the switch I is closed, then the magnetic clutch G couples thedriving shaft D to the motor F and the side A B and C of the machine isoperative and the side A, B and C is cut out.

The sin 'le pole switches I and I are each mounted on the outer end ofone of the dispensing mechanisms, C or C and are thrown out by theoutermost of the butter plates on the rails 55. The construction ofthese switches is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus mounted on thefront rail support 56 is the block 100 of fibre or other insulatingmaterial in which are mounted the two posts 101 and 102 to which theends of the conductors 9? and 98, or 9'? and 99, as the case may be, arerespectively connected. Mounted on the inner protruding ends of theposts 101 and 102 are two spring fork contacts 103. 10 i is abrassU-shape bridge bar adapted to engage the contacts 10;) and electricallyconnect the same. The upwardly extending legs of said bridge bar 101 aresecured to a pair of fibre or other insulating blocks 105 which arepivotally mounted the lever 10? and completely opening thereby stoppingthe front bllttfilfpl'tlte is removed, 1 thesprmg except the front:plate, without starting-the maohme.

between the legs Pivotally anounted on said shaft between'said blocks:is the metal throwing lever 10'? having an integral, inpwardlyextending finger 108 and a toe 109.

The .toe is .connected'by a helical spring 1 10 with a cross hrace 1 11connecting the :two blocks 105. Opposite the toc109 the lever 107 isprovided with :two parallel vertical flanges 1112 between which ispivotally pinned ithe npper end of the rod 1 13 whose lower end'de-pendsin "a loosely fitting guide socket 2114 .in .the block 100. A helicalspring 115 :is coiled abontsaid -rod 113 219etween the flanges .112 andthe block 100.

The adjacent faces-of the blocks 105 are provided with-stop pins 116which are engaged by athe Ilever 107 when it swings counter-clockwise inFig.6.

It is evident that when "free from 'interference the'spring 115 willthrow said lever.

107 clockwise in Fig. 6,-and by the-engagement of ithe lever with thestop -p1ns 116 on :the blocks i105, Iforcethe bridge bar 10 intoengagement with "the spring contacts 103.

lnsuch case, assuming the doiible po'le switch J to be thrown tocomplete il18 circuit of thezmagnetic clutch G or G yas thecase may be,the corresponding driving shaft, :19 or D will "be coupled it'o the:motor iF =and the portioning inechanism, *the plate supply mechanismand the dispensing lIlEQllflIllSIIl on that side of "the :machine will:be put into operation and will continue in operation untilithe singlepole-switch 'Ior I ,-as the case may-be, is'thrownropen. I

When a butter plate :-moves into the rdisfront of the machine, asshown'in Fig."6, the :front edge or the plate will engagethe stinger 108of and thr0w said lever into the position shown, the lever ifirstswinging without moving athe bIidg'e bar 104 .-until the tensionor'theexpansioneo't the. spring 110 will hesnflicient to 'OVBICOEHB' thBgrip of the spring contacts 103, thus suddenly the switch and themechanism. "RVhen 115 again "causes the switch to close and causes 'themachine to operate until a Jfresh butterplate assumes the =front ordispensing position. It is:evidentithatrtheremoval of the front-hutterplate only will startthe machine, but the dispensing mechanismpreferably protrndes far enough 1n front of the portioning mechanisnmtoexpose (it nnmherofiloaded plates; but'allof said plates, may beiremoved It is als0 evident that when the switch J is thrown intothe;13OSlt),0l1'llldlcniledlil F g. 10, the side ofthemach ne A, B an'dC is epent-able, while the side'of 'the machine A B and C isinoperative, but the last named side ibe' rendered operative and thefirst named side inoperative by it hrowingithe switdhid intoitheotherlposition. y We provide automatic means whereby whenithe one sideof theimachine has'been theoretically femp'tied, ithat side of "themachine is cut "out and :the other side thrown into service. Then 'thefirst named; side may he refilled with butter and plates, so that whensecond snamed .sideof the machine is emptied, :the sfirst named side,having ibeen refilled, is ready to Eb?) automatically thrown .intooperation. This alternate! operation of the :two sides of :the machinemay ;be .conztinued indefinitely.

Thusthe horizontally disposedaline shafts :E and E at either side aof-'.the machine, which deliver power to 'zthe portioning mechanisms AzandA respectively, -areiex tended forwardly and lIJFOVlClBCl zat stheir.frontrend with beveled gears 1'17 and 111 7 which mesh respectivelywith similar s gears 118 and 11-8 on the outer end-s er :the twoalinedsha'i'tsrK:and IG, respectively. :Be-

neticiclutches Hfiand YI-Iflrespectively. Thu

ithe shaft-L is rotated in one direction, -or theo'ther, inaccordancewith whichzof the clutches H or 'H is engagechinasmuch as the shafts Eand E xrotate in opposite/dire'ctions.

The shaft L is provided zwithaworm 119 which :meshes with a relativelylargeitiming Worm gear IHOUHtfiflIOHztL shaft 1203hori- 'zontall y journaled in :snitable'ihousings i121 axially ofthe machine. r A

' The other endtof the 1 shaft 31-20 is sprovided witha radial crank*122- on wh0se outer end is ithe crank ipin 31 23.

124 is :a iradial arm onthe adjacentiend not a shaft 125 vjournaleddnsuitable; standard housings 2126,:an'd alined with thersha ft i120. 127represents a pair of rocking barsofinsula'ting imaterial whichare Iloosely imonnted on the shaft 125 betweenthehousings 1126.

-Between the bars 1271a hub 128 is fixed on said shaft 125 and said ihnbis :provided with .a ;radially disposed xdnplex arm 129; '130 and 130are Usshaped i'bridge'ibars of brass whosellegs are c'onn'ectedto the-ends each prnvided with times bar 133* 1'06.

which are connected with the outer end of the duplex arm 129 by helicalsprings 134: and 134-." respectively.

Thus when the switch J is thrown in the position illustrated in F 9 and10, the side of the machine A, 5 and C is electrically connecteu up andready for opera tionand the side A B and C cut out, and when the switch5 is thrown into its opposite position side A, B and G is cut out andside A B and C is connected up.

Then the switch is in the position shown full lines in Fig. 10, themagnetic clutch H is engaged and the clutch H disengaged, and thereforethe shaft is rotated in the predetermined direction, thus rotating thetime gear M which starts the crank 122 to turn counter-clockwise in Fig.10, the movement of said crank causing the pin 123 to travel around andfinally pick up the arm 124: of the shaft 125, turning said arm from itsposition shown in full lines to its. position indicated in dotted linesin 10. The retation of said shaft, and with it the arm 129 which vlllfirst put tension on the right hand spring 131 and finally throughspring will-pull the bridge bar 132 out of engagement with the contacts133 and 13% while at the same time the compression of the oppositespring 131 will force the bridge bar 132 into engagement with thecontacts 133" and 1343, thus interrupting the conductor 98 and thuscutting out the A, B and C side of the machine and completing theconductor 99 and connecting up the If, B and C side of the machine.

It is evident that the interruption of the conductor 98 will disengagethe clutch H while the completion of the conductor 99 will engage theclutch H thus reversing the movement of the shaft L and with it thecrank, so that it will travel in the reverse, or clockwise direction,from its position shown in dotted lines to its position shown in fulllines and in time throw the switch back once more into the positionshown in full lines, thus cutting out side A B and C of the machine andconnecting up side A, B ant C.

Thus every time the crank 122 completes a movement, one side of themachine is cut out and. the other side connected up. The relative sizeof the time gear M and the throw of the crank 122 is such that each sideof the machine is in operative conditio until the butter is exhaustedfrom its dispensing mechanism, whereupon that side of the machine is cutout and the other side put into operation, the first named side beingthen replenished with butter and butter plates.

In Figs. 13 and 14 we show a modified form of make and break device forthe front end of the dispensing mechanisms, to be used as a substitutefor the switches I and 1?. Thus we show the rails 55 interrupted neartheir outer ends to permit the insertion of the floating rail sectionswhich are individually supported by the angular spring arms 135 whichare in turn mounted on the insulating block 136 by the binding bolt 13'?which may be electrically connected to the conductor 97. The block 136may be supported by a cross bar 138 between the 139 is a bridge barmounted on top of the block 136 and electrically connected to theconductor 98 or 99, as the case may he. lVhen no butter plate is spottedon the floating rails 55 the said rails are elevated slightly above thepermanent rails 55 and the spring arms 135 are in electrical contactwith the ends of the bridge bar 139, complet ing the circuits of thecorresponding magnetic clutches. When a loaded butter plate is spottedon the rails 55 the same are de pressed, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14,thus spreading the arms 135 and breaking their contact with the bridgebar 139., thus inter rupting the circuit. lVhen the floating rails aredepressed the butter plate may be partially supported by the permanentrails, so that accidental pressure downwardly on the butter plate willbe taken off the floating rails and assumed by the fixed rails.

It is evident from the foregoing that our invention is especiallyadapted to self-service or quick service restaurants where the supply ofportions must be maintained. Con ta ct of the portions with the hands isavoided, and the portions are supplied as needed, the rate of dispensingincreasing or decreasing with the demand.

The plate stack or supply means is positive in its action, a fresh platebeing pre sented to the portioning mechanism for the reception of eachportion produced. It is preferable that the removal of the loaded. platepresented at the front or forward position actuates the machine, therebycausing the removal of the portions in proper orcer. Of course, it isnot necessary for the next person to wait until a second plate isadvanced into the front position before removing the same, but themachine illustrated will be put into operation only by the removal ofthe front plate, and once in opcia tion, will continue in operationuntil a plate is advanced into the front position.

By embodying the princirflcs of our irvention in a duplex or multiplemachine. the same need not go out of service for refilling, since whenone side or portion of the. machine has been emptied, this side is automatically cut out and the other side put into operation while the firstmentioned side is refilled; such alternate operation and refilling beingcontinued indefinitely. We have shown a duplex machine, but it will beunderstood that any number of sets of mechanisms may be provided, saidsets being autoimaticully itlIIOWll into operation and :then

cutout for refilling avhen empty.

Although, for the sake aofclea-rness, -W9. have described in detailthe=embodimentiof thezprincip'lcs ofour invention illustrated in thedrawings, we donot wish to limit our selves thereby, but claimbroadly 1. In amachine for :forming anddispensing 'individualportions ofbutter and similarsubstanees,the-combination of a verticallydisposeddispensing tube adaptedto contain a bar of the product to be portioned,mechanism for causing the lower end of said bar to be-extrudcd andtheextruded portion ofsaid'bar to be sliced off to form portions, mechanismforpresenting empty containers in position ,toreceive the sliced-offportions and for moving the loaded containers into a dis} 9'ensingposition, and means whereby the removalof-a loaded container from the?dispensing position causes allot said'mechm nisms'to be put intooperation.

2. In'amachine for forming anddispensing individual portions of butter"and similar substances, the-combination of-a vertically disposed ldispensing =tube adapted to contain a barof-the productto-be-po1.-'tioned, mechanismTor-causing thelower end o't-sald bartobeeritruded'and the extruded portion of said bar to be sliced off to formportions, mechanism for presentingempty containers in position toreceive the sliced-off portions and for movingthe loaded containersintoa dispensing position, means whereby the removal ofa loaded'containerfrom the-dis- =pensingposition automatically causes all-of saidmechanisms to be put intooperation,

' and means whereby the subsequent arrival of a'loaded'containenin thedispensing 'posr tion causes said*mechanisms to cease'ogeration.

In a machine "for forming anddispensing individual portions, thecombination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying "emptycontainers to receive the portions as theyaredischargedby the por tion"forming mechanism, mechanism tor presenting the loaded containers inthe'dis pensingposition, and mcans'ivhercby the'removal of a container"i ronrthedispensing position automatically actuates all of saidmei'zhanisms.

4-. Tn a-machine for forming and d ispens ing; individual portions, thecombination'oli portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplyingeinpty'containers to receive 'the portions as they are dischargedby theportion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loadedcoutainersin the dispensing position, means whereby the removal of acontainer from the dispensing position automatically actuatesall of saidmechanism, and means whereby thepl'esentation of another container-inthe dispensing position halts said mechanisms.

Ina-machine for forming anddispensing individual l-portions, thecombination of portion torming mechanism, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers to receive thc portions as they are dischargcd by the portionforming mechanism, unechanism for presenting -:the loaded containers in:the dispensing position, "a source of operative power, and meanswhereby th'e'remova'l of a container from the dispensing positionautomatically couples said source of power to said mechanisms.

6. Ina machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination'of port-ion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers -to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers.in the dispensing position, a source of operative power, means wherebythe removal of a con- Htainer from the dispensing position automaticallycouples said sourceof power to .aid mechanisms, and means whereby thepresentation of another container in the dispensing positionautomatically disconnects said source of power from said mechanisms.

.7. In a m'achine for forming and dispensing individual portionsgthecombination of portion forming mechanism, amechanism ifor 1 supplyingempty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged byzthevportion forming mechanism, mechanismfifor presentingthe loadedcontainers in turn in the dispensing :position, and means whereby theremovalof a container from'thedispensing position automatically causes'all of said mechanismsto be put into operation.

'8. In azmachine for forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplyingemptycontainers to receive the portions as theyare discharged by the portionformingmechanism, mechanism for n'esenting the loaded containers in turnin the dispensing position, means whereby the ren'iova'l of a containerfrom the dispensing position automatically causes all of said mechanismsto be put into operation, and

means whereby-the presentation of another container in the dispensingposition auto matically causes the operation of said mechanisms tocease. v

9. In a machine for forming and dispensportion forming mechanism,mechanism for supplying empty containers'to receive the portionsas theyare discharged by the portion iorming mechanism, mechanism forpresentingthe loaded containers in turnin the dispensing position,-asource of operative power, and means Whercby the removal of a containerfrom the dispensing position automatically connects said mechanisms tosaid source of power.

mg individual portions, the combination of 10. In a machine for formingand dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion formingmechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive theportions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism,mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensingposition, a source of operative power, means wherchy the removal of acontainer from the dispensing position automatically connects saidmechanisms to said source of power, and means whereby the presentationof another container in the dispensing position automatically disconnects said mechanisms from said source of operative power.

11. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination oi portion forming mechansm, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion-forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers inturn in the dispensing position, a source of power, clutch mechanismadapted when engaged to connect said source of power to said mechanismsto operate the same, and means whereby the removal of a container fromthe dispensing position will cause said clutch mechanism to beautomatically engaged.

12. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination of portion formin mechanism, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portionforming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers inturn in the dispensing position, a source of power, clutch mechanismadapted when engaged to connect said source of power to said mechanismto operate the same, means whereby the removal of a container from thedispensing position will cause said clutch mechanism to be automaticallyengaged, and means whereby the presentation of another container to thedispensing posistion will cause said clutch mechanism to beautomatically disengage l.

1?. In a machine for "forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination of portion Forming mechanism, merhanism for suiiiplyingempty containers to receive the portions as tl'iey are discharged by theportion forming mechanism, mechanism "for presenting the loadedcontainers in turn in the dispensing position, a source oi power, amagnetic clutch adapted to couple said source of power to saidmechanisms to operate the latter, and switch in the clutch circuit, andmeans whereby said switch is automatically thrown open by thepresentation of a container in the dispensing posi tion whereby saidclutch is deenergized.

14c. In a machine for forming dis pensing individual portions, thecombination oi" portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portionforming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers inturn in the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutchadapted to couple said source of power to said mechanism to operate thelatter, a switch in the clutch circuit, and means whereby said switch isautomatically thrown open by the presentation of a container in thedispensing position whereby said clutch is deenergized, and meanswhereby said switch automatically closes and said clutch is energizedwhen a container is removed from the dispensing position. I

15. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual p rtions, thecombination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism "for supplying emptycontainers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portionforming mechanism, mechanism for preventing the loaded containers inturn in the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutchadapted to operatively connect said mechanisms to said source of power,and means whereby said clutch is automatically maintained deenergizedwhile a container occupies the dispensing position.

16. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, thecombination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying emptycontainers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portionforming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turin the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutch adaptedto operatively connect said mechanisms to said source of power, meanswhereby said clutch is auto matically maintained deenergized While acontainer occupies the dispensing position, and means whereby when thecontainer is removed from the dispensing position said clutch isautomatically energized.

17. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism forforming and dispensing portions, and automatically operating meanswhereby said sets successively thrown into and out of operation for thepurpose described.

18. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the con'ibination o t aplurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism forforming and dispensing portions, a source of operative power, and meanswhereby at predetermined intervals one set is disconnected from saidsource o1 power and another set is connected to said source of power.

19. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality at sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism forforming and dispensing portions, a source of power, and means forconnecting said sets of mechanisms in turn to said source of power.

20. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism forforming and dispensing portions, a source of power, means foralternately connecting said sets of mechanisms to said source of power,and timing means controlling the action of said connecting means. y

21. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, asource of power, means for connecting said sets of mechanisms in turn tosaid source of power, and timed mecha-- nism for shifting saidconnecting means.

22. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, asource of power, shiftable means whereby said sets of mechanisms may besuccessively connected to said source of power, and automatic means forshifting said shiftable means at predetermined intervals.

23. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dis pensing portions,and automatic means for successively throwing said sets into operation.

24. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, asource of operative power, and automatic means for successivelyconnecting said sets of mechanisms to said source of power.

25. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, asource of power, a magnetic clutch for each set of mechanisms adaptedwhen energized to operatively connect the corresponding set to thesource of power, and an automatic switch adapted to energize saidclutches successively for the purpose described.

26. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, asource of power, a magnetic clutch for each set of mechanisms adaptedwhen energized to operatively connect the corresponding set to thesource of power, an automatic switch adapted to energize said clutchessuccessively for the purpose described, and timed means for throwingsaid switch. I

27. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and presenting the portionsin the dispensing position, means associated with each set whereby whena portion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of saidset are actuated, and means whereby when a predetermined number ofportions have been formed and dispensed by one of said sets, said set isautomatically cut out of operation and another set is put intooperation, for the purpose described.

28. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets ofmechanisms for forming and presenting portions inthe dispensing position, means associated with each set, whereby when aportion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of thecorresponding set are actuated, a source of power, a magnetic clutch foreach set and adapted when energized to operatively connect said set tosaid source of power, and means whereby said magnetic clutches aresuccessively energized so that said sets are put into operationsuccessively for the purpose described.

29. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of aplurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and presenting portions inthe dispensing position, means associated with each set whereby whenportion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of thecorresponding set is actuated, means whereby when another portion ispresented in the dispensing position said mechanisms are halted, asource of power, a magnetic clutch for each set and adapted whenenergized to 0p eratively connect said set with said source of power,and means whereby said magnetic clutches are successively energized sothat said sets are put into operation successively for the purposedescribed.

30. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality ofmechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, meansfor connecting said mechanisms individually to said source of power, andmeans whereby said last mentioned means is controlled by the operationof each of said mechanisms whereby said mechanisms are successively putinto operation and cut out'of operation for the purpose described.

31. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality ofmechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, amagnetic clutch for each of said mechanisms and adapted when energizedto operatively connect its mechanism with said source of power, andmeans controlled by the operation of said mechanism for deenergiz- .ingits clutch andenergizing the clutch of another mechanism for the purposedescribed.

' 32. In aportioning machine, the combiing its clutch, and means wherebywhen said nation of a plurality of mechanisms for clutch is deenergizedthe clutch of another 10 forming and dispensing portions, asoui'cemechanism is energized, for the purpose deof power, a magnetic clutchfor each of said scribed. mechanisms and adapted When energized toSigned at Pittsburgh, Pa, this 22nd day operatively connect itsmechanism with said of May, 1922. source of power, means controlled bythe LUTHER L. KNOX. operation of said mechanism for deene-i-giz-WVILLIAM H. LE WIS.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,580,498, grantedApril 13, 1926, upon the application of Luther L. Knox, of Bellevue, andVilliam H. Lewis, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for an improvement inPortioning Machines, an error appears in the printed specificationrequiring correction as follows: Page 8, line 89, claim 15, for the Wordpreventing read presenting; and that thesaid Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the ease in the Patent Othce.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of May, A. D. 1926.

[5mm] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Gammissz'oner '0 Patents.

